Coventry's Lady Godiva clock was at the centre of a fire drama yesterday.

Smoke was spotted billowing out of the front of the clock in Broadgate at 8.55am.

The alarm was raised early enough to prevent damage to the much-loved figures of Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom.

Workman carrying out the first major repairs on the Godiva clock in 50 years dialled 999 after a spark set fire to oily rags and paint cans in Broadgate House, which adjoins the clock.

Leading firemen Paul Morgan and his crew discovered the burning items were stuck in a narrow space below the right hand side of the clock's "stage" from which Godiva, mounted on her white horse, usually makes her hourly appearances.

Three fire engines and a hydraulic platform were sent to the scene.

Mr Morgan said: "We quickly realised the platform was not needed but there were oily rags, paint pots and other rubbish in a difficult area to get at right below the clock."

He said the debris had probably been accumulating in the space for up to 30 years but the alarm had been raised long before Lady Godiva and her horse were in any danger of melting.

As usual the figure of Peeping Tom looked out cheekily from a window just above the clock.